Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third score through the air, as Kansas State defeated Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday. The Wildcats rallied from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, marking their fourth comeback victory of the season when trailing in the fourth.
Kansas State (9-4) accumulated 542 yards of total offense. Quarterback Avery Johnson was 15-of-30 passing for 195 yards and three touchdowns, also rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Rutgers (7-6) saw quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis complete 14 of 32 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown. The Scarlet Knights opened the game with a punt but then scored on six consecutive possessions, including a touchdown to start the second half. Kaliakmanis connected with Ja’shon Benjamin for a 7-yard screen pass, giving Rutgers a 34-17 lead.
Kansas State responded with Edwards’ 65-yard rush to cut the lead to 34-23. Following an interception of Kaliakmanis by Daniel Cobbs, the Wildcats capitalized with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Garrett Oakley, narrowing the deficit to 34-29.
Late in the third quarter, Rutgers capitalized on a 67-yard punt return by Christian Dremel, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Antwan Raymond to extend the lead to 41-29.
However, Johnson answered with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson, reducing the Wildcats’ deficit to 41-36. After a three-and-out by Rutgers, Edwards broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, giving Kansas State its first lead since early in the second quarter. Johnson found Oakley for the two-point conversion, putting the Wildcats ahead 44-41 with 4:15 left.
Kansas State’s defense then held strong, stopping Rutgers on a crucial fourth-and-7 at their own 44-yard line with 1:55 remaining to secure the victory.
In the first half, Kansas State got on the board with a 29-yard field goal from Chris Tennant. The teams traded 75-yard touchdown drives, with Rutgers’ Raymond and Kansas State’s Johnson each scoring on 2-yard runs. Rutgers tied the game with a 31-yard field goal from Jai Patel.
Raymond’s 65-yard run set up a 2-yard touchdown from Benjamin, giving Rutgers a 17-10 lead with 9:31 left in the half. Kansas State quickly responded, with Johnson finding Edwards on a 26-yard screen pass for a touchdown. However, Raymond raced for a 24-yard touchdown to put Rutgers back in front, and Patel closed the half with a 48-yard field goal, making it 24-17 at halftime.
